Spring/Summer 2015 Edition - Baja Presbyterian Missions, Inc.

Spring/Summer 2015 Newsletter
Baja Presbyterian Missions, Inc.
PAGE 1
CALI
c
2015 Baja
Day Trip
c
baja’s in bloom
MISSION
TO
MEXI ■
A highlight of our 2015 Baja Day
Trip to visit missions and churches
in Mexicali was to tour the Presbyterian Theological Seminary
which was built and is operated
by the Presbyterian Church of Korea. Several Baja pastors teach
courses; Rev. Cesar Vazquez is
dean of students. They are drawn
primarily from the State of Chiapas in Southern Mexico where
Presbyterians are quite strong, a
legacy established by Presbyterian
missionaries dating back to the
1870’s. It’s a four-year course of
study with 50 pupils in each class.
Among current seminarians are
about a dozen young women who
upon graduation will be qualified to
serve as missionarias in the Mexican Presbyterian Church system.
www.bajapresbyterianmissions.org
Thirty people from eight churches in San Diego
Presbytery participated in this year’s “Mission to
Mexicali” Baja Day Trip on Saturday, March 21.
Traveling in two 15-passenger vans, the group visited two churches, a newer mission, and the seminary.
Plus the day-trippers enjoyed a wonderful all-youcan eat buffet lunch at El Vaquero Restaurant. Our
thanks go to Nicasio Rojas for helping to plan the
trip, and to daughter Perla Rojas for translation.
Represented on the Baja Day Trip to Mexicali:
Chula Vista Presbyterian
First Presbyterian, El Cajon
First Presbyterian, San Diego
Fletcher Hills Presbyterian
Iglesia Presbiteriana Emmanuel, San Diego
La Jolla Presbyterian
Northminster Presbyterian, Clairemont Mesa
Westminster Presbyterian, Escondido
PLAN TO JOIN US FOR OUR 2016 BAJA DAY TRIP
A shady courtyard graces the seminary quad.
At left, Dr. Won Seak Lim, seminary rector.
PAGE 2
Iglesia San Marcos
Iglesia Cristo Viene
Iglesia Cristo Viene (Christ is Coming)
has benefitted from its neighbor -- the
seminary, which is located directly
across the street. Constructed in 1983
before the seminary, it has followed
the pattern of adding new buildings
as membership increases and funding
becomes available. The latest will be a
separate manse, two lots north. Construction has started. Donations are
needed. Seminary graduate Rev. Raymundo Chavez, at right, is the pastor.
Construction of Iglesia San Marcos, the
oldest Presbyterian Church in Mexicali,
began in 1979. Elder Uziel Santizo,
center, heads the session while Rev.
Cesar Vazquez, at right, is officiating
pastor. BPM Board President and tour
leader Bob Battenfield is at left. With
classrooms on the ground level, the
sanctuary is upstairs. San Marcos set
the pattern for other building plans
-- first a multipurpose hall, next the
manse, followed by a sanctuary.
Cross-Border Relationships
www.bajapresbyterianmissions.org
Mision Rosa de Saron
Are You Missing
a Mission?
Seeking a cause to support?
Feeling the nudge of the Holy
Spirit to devote a portion of your
time, talent and treasure to help
the Mexican Presbyterian Church
plant and grow in Baja California?
Construction of Mision Rosa de Saron
(Rose of Sharon Mission) has been
funded by the Korean Presbyterian
Church. With assignment of the pastor, 2015 Seminary graduate Omar
Rodriguez, BPM is providing a salary
supplement. Rev. Cesar Vazquez is
officiating pastor. His pulpit is Jesus
Pan de Vida Church in San Luis de Rio
Colorado. Also in the Mexicali area are
Mision Mana, Mision Dios Soberano
and Mision Getsemani.
Contact:
Bob Battenfield, President
Baja Presbyterian Missions
9189 Grossmont Blvd.
La Mesa CA 91941
619-465-8305
email: bobbattenfield@baja
presbyterianmissions.org or
bobbattenfield@sbcglobal.net
Baja Presbyterian Missions is a Nonprofit California Religious
Corporation Chartered as Native Missions Inc. in 1964.